I had a cat just DESTROY my whole Catnip patch and I'd like to have it again in the garden. Is it absolutely too late to start any seeds here? I know I could wait until spring, but.... I'm an overanxious gardener.
I'll be out getting dirt under my nails, so I'll check back later.
~ Carole
Too late to start Catnip in Zone 8b?
Decided I'll try a little CatMINT this time. If what I've read is true, I'll have time to get a good start before it gets cool here. And I've read that the Cat MINT isn't near as attractive to cats, but is actually even prettier.
Hi Cajun...
I planted seeds to this catmint from Renee's garden a few years ago and it has thrived.
https://www.reneesgarden.com/seeds/packpg/herbs/catmint-p.htm
It really is a nice easy care plant which is attractive to bees and butterflys.
It seems to prefer to dry out pretty thoroughly before getting another drink.
I cut it back to the ground every winter and it seems to come back bigger every year.
The neighborhood cats do sometimes nibble on it a bit; but, I've never had them completely wipe it out. I've tried giving the fresh leaves to my cats and they aren't all that interested.
This picture is from April before it really started blooming.
It's about 3 times as big as that now.
Erik
edited for spelling
This message was edited Sep 23, 2004 3:02 PM
That's very nice, Erik. Thanks for all the info and showing me yours. I cheated and bought a little plant today because it was marked down to 50 cents at a mom and pop nursery. I just couldn't resist.
My main goal is to have a Nepeta in my best friend's memory garden because she loved cats so much. It's NOT to have the cats in the neighborhood get high in my backyard and then trash the place (lol)!
Good to know the bit about cutting it down for the winter. Do you just wait until it shows signs of being affected? Or when it gets to a certain temp? or what?
Cajun2, check email.
I put a used bird cage on the top of it. Only a certain amount sticks out of the sides and top; they can't destroy the roots.
HTH,
~* Robin
Robin, I sure like that idea of the used bird cage over it! GREAT idea! And quite attractive in the garden. Very cool. Because I'm telling you... these cats had a FIELD day with my catnip. I went out daily to see it just a little more 'destroyed' until the one day I went out and it was ALL completely laying on the ground. Within days... I was pulling up several dead plants (sniff). Darned cats! (lol j/k)
We don't really get a freeze here, it just looks pretty ratty in January, so I cut it back as part of my winter cleanup.
It has a little bit more of a sprawling habit than catnip, and will spread by rooting stems, a bit like dead nettle. Mine also reseeds to a certain extent, though something in my garden usually eats them before they get too big.
I think some of the garden hybrids do not produce fertile seed.
Cajun2. .your experience w/partying cats remainds me of mine a few years ago. . .I bought a gallon-size plant and put it in and the next morning it was decimated. . .would you believe overnight? So, I bought another big one and this time built an elaborate chicken wire cover, determined not to lose it. . and it lasted about 3 days (the birdcage idea is great! and much less trouble). . anyway, I didn't fasten it down and they must have been having a shoving match as to who could get in first. . .cats=2 wins, me=0. I've read if you start it from seed, chances are it will be "unmolested". . it's when they get a whiff of it in the neighborhood, when you bruise it during planting, that attracts them. So I tried that, and got a healthy bunch of it growing that would take an army of cats to ruin. I had enough to dry bags of the stuff for my own 2 cats (inside) and still had to cut it back to keep it from taking over...
hehehe I love your story!
I did start mine from seed last spring, and it came back (or self-seeded) for this spring. It was not until I went out after learning that catnip tea is tasty and good for you that I bruised leaves I'm sure, and stirred the cat population. I think it's just one addict cat that trashed my catnip, and she is still hanging around.
In fact, I have my little pot of Catmint soaking in a tray of root hormone mix and saw her sniffing about yesterday. I am suspect as to whether this is going to be any different.. time will tell.